Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Less Advertising, Outreach As Covered California Eyes Self-Sufficiency
Covered California officials yesterday released a budget proposal for the 2015-16 fiscal year. As expected, the agency has scaled down its advertising and outreach budget, and cut back the large initial outlay for information technology services. (Gorn, 5/14)
Gov. David Ige's administration says Hawaii's health insurance exchange will have to make changes to comply with federal Affordable Care Act. Deputy Chief of Staff Laurel Johnston said Wednesday the administration's plan calls for using the federal government's information technology to run the Hawaii Health Connector's troubled insurance exchange. (McAvoy, 5/14)
A Minnesota-based health-insurer plans to join two other carriers on Iowa's version of the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace. Thursday morning's announcement from Medica means that moderate-income Iowans who qualify for federal subsidies under Obamacare will have at least three carriers to choose from for 2016. Such subsidies are only available to help pay premiums for policies purchased on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, known as healthcare.gov. (Leys, 5/14)
The state health insurance exchange's financial viability hinges on recovering millions of dollars in costs inflicted by Medicaid expansion, officials say, but Connect for Health Colorado wasn't set up to either count or collect reimbursement. "We right now have zero in terms of our Medicaid reimbursement," said Kevin Patterson, the exchange's new interim CEO. "Zero is not the right number." (Draper, 5/14)
The Connect for Health Colorado board of directors voted unanimously Thursday to raise the fees it charges on health insurance policies to bolster its finances as federal grants run out later this year. The state health insurance exchange raised the fee on 2016 plans purchased through its marketplace from the current 1.4 percent of premiums to 3.5 percent, the same rate charged on the federal exchange. (Draper, 5/14)
The board of directors of Colorado's health insurance exchange is meeting Thursday to consider proposals that are likely to increase the cost to consumers. Connect for Health Colorado staff have proposed raising administrative fees it charges to cover the costs of the technological and other infrastructure needed to allow consumers to comparison shop for insurance and get advice and access to financial aid. Fees are now 1.4 percent of premiums and typically passed on by insurance companies to consumers. Staff said in a presentation to the board ahead of Thursday's meeting that the exchange also was seeking federal Medicaid reimbursements. (5/14)
